PROTECTING OUR TENDER HEARTS

How many of us fear, due to past injuries, revealing our tender love? We tend to climb into our shells to protect that part of us which is most vulnerable.

We all know how tough, how mean this world can be. Lies, corruption, self-seeking, greed, untrustworthiness seem to haunt us like a ghost in the closet, ready to attack when we let our guard down. It has happened so many times.

Ingersol said, “The deepest shadows fall on the tenderest hearts.”

So, to avoid more injury, more hurt, we withdraw the best of ourselves. One day we look into the mirror of self, and see the person we have feared, the hard, unfeeling, heartless person same as those who have hurt us in the past.

We know, “That can’t be me”, and it is not you. It is that hard, protective shell you have allowed to grow so thick and rough in order to protect the tender heart inside, the real you that only you now know.

What happens when we hide in our shells? Our shells are hard, strong, hopefully impenetrable. Those who brush against our shells can easily get bruised, or worse.

After a time, even we may forget the true nature of that person in the shell. When that tragically happens, we have actually become one of the beasts that attack, injure, and kill the souls of others, just like those who started us on this terrible track. Beware, our soul is dieing.

Behold. that which I feared hath come upon me.